"TouVY*  ■ v 


Ik/ 

THE  MISSIONARY  SPIRIT: 


INTRODUCTORY 

TO  THE  COURSE  OF  MONTHLY  LECTURES 

ESTABLISHED  BY 


THE  BISHOP 

AND  THE 

CLERGY  OF  BOSTON  AND  THE  VICINITY, 


TO  BE  DENOMINATED 


Efje  Episcopal  iHtsstouavg  Erctuve; 


DELIVERED  IS  CHRIST  CHURCH,  BOSTOX, 


ON  THE  EVENING  OF  ADVENT  SUNDAY,  NOV.  27,  1831. 


GEORGE  W.  DOANE,  A.M. 

RECTOR  OF  TRIKIT Y CHURCH. 


BOSTON: 

STIMPSON  & CLAPP. 

OFFICE  OF  THE  BANNER  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


M DCCC  XXXI. 


Clapp  & Hull,  Pcintera,  184  Washington  Street,  Boaton. 


The  publicity  desired  for  the  establishment  and  purposes 
of  the  Episcopal  Missionary  Lecture  requires, — in  the 
opinion  of  those  whose  zeal  and  devotion  to  the  cause,  and 
whose  sound  and  enlightened  judgment,  on  other  subjects  at 
least,  cannot  he  called  in  question, — the  publication  of  the 
Introductory  Discourse.  To  decline,  under  these  circum- 
stances, would  be  inconsistent  wdth  the  Author’s  sense  of 
obligation,  on  that  occasion  and  on  others  declared,  as  a 
minister  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  and,  what  should  be  regarded 
as  very  nearly  synonimous,  the  servant  of  Christian  Missions. 
The  entire  proceeds  of  the  sale  will  be  devoted  to  the  general 
purposes  of  the  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 


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INTRODUCTORY  LECTURE. 


The  present  is  designed  to  be  a “ Missionary 
Lecture.”  It  is  the  first  of  a course  founded  and 
to  be  sustained,  by  the  Bishop,  and  the  Clergy 
of  Boston  and  its  vicinity.  Its  establishment  is  the 
joint  act  of  all  the  Clergy  who  could  be  consulted  on 
the  subject,  with  the  Bishop  at  their  head.  The 
agreement  to  support  it,  refused  by  none  to  whom 
it  has  been  offered,  already  bears  fourteen  names. 
Others  have  given  their  approbation,  and  at  the  first 
opportunity  will  add  their  signatures.  It  had  its 
origin  in  a strong  desire  to  promote  what  is  com- 
monly called  a “ Missionary  Spirit  and  in  a firm 
belief  that,  in  addition  to  the  appointed  means  of 
grace,  with  God’s  attendant  blessing,  there  is  only 
needed,  for  that  end,  a free  circulation  of  Missionary 
intelligence,  under  a just  sense  of  the  nature  and 
sacred  obligation  of  Christian  Missions.  Con- 
templating the  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missionary 


6 


Society , as  emphatically  the  institution  of  the  Church, 
and  feeling  that,  while  the  several  diocesan  and  local 
Missionary  Societies  were  certain  of  finding  support 
in  the  immediate  personal  interests  to  which  they 
directly  appeal,  a general  Society  could  only  be 
sustained  by  simultaneous  and  vigorous  exertions  in 
every  quarter  of  the  Church,  the  whole  of  which  it 
comprehends,  and  on  all  of  which  it  relies,  the  Clergy 
have  resolved  that  to  the  support  of  that  Society 
especially,  the  influence  of  the  Lecture  shall  be 
directed,  and  the  funds  which  may  result  from  it  be 
exclusively  appropriated.  Such  wras  the  origin,  such 
are  the  objects  of  the  Missionary  Lecture.  Founded 
in  Christian  love,  having  for  its  motive  the  love  of 
souls  and  of  Christ  who  died  for  them,  having  for  its 
object  the  extension  to  all  lands,  and  to  every  living 
man,  of  the  Gospel  which  he  came  to  preach,  and  the 
Church  which  he  so  loved  that  he  purchased  it  with 
his  own  blood, — may  its  duration  be  correspondent 
with  that  true  charity  which  never  faileth  ! May  the 
assembling  of  ourselves  together  for  this  benevolent 
and  blessed  purpose,  and  of  those  who  shall  come 
after  us,  long  years  and  ages  hence,  never  be  for- 
saken ! So  long  as  a nation  shall  remain  in  darkness, 
a feeble  parish  faint  for  lack  of  aid,  a soul  for  whom 
Christ  died  remain  unconscious  of  the  cleansing  unc- 
tion of  his  blood,  may  the  voice  of  this  Lecture  still 


7 


be  heard,  nor  cease,  but  amid  the  choral  hallelujahs 
of  a world  reclaimed  to  righteousness ! 

It  only  remains  that  I premise  the  reasons  of  my 
standing,  upon  this  occasion,  in  this  place  ; and  then 
proceed  to  offer  such  considerations  in  behalf  of  the 
work  now  undertaken  as  may  commend  it,  Christian 
brethren,  to  your  attention,  your  confidence,  your 
affection,  and,  by  God’s  blessing,  render  it  useful  to 
you,  profitable  to  his  Church,  and  promotive  of  his 
praise.  As  an  Episcopal  Missionary  Lecture,  it  was 
desired  and  designed  that  he  who  is  over  us  in  the 
Lord,  without  whose  sanction,  as  it  is  our  principle 
to  do  nothing,  so  it  is  our  wish  that  all  good  works 
should  begin  with  him,  should  have  stood  here  before 
you  to-night ; and  none  of  you  can  lament  one  half 
so  deeply  as  I do  the  official  duty,  in  another  place, 
which  prevents  his  being  here.  It  is  gratifying  to 
be  re-assured,  by  a recent  letter,  that  he  is  deeply 
interested  in  our  present  assembling,  and  in  its  ob- 
jects ; and  that,  on  the  earliest  return  of  it,  consistent 
with  his  official  avocations,  he  will  instruct  and 
animate  us  by  his  words  of  wisdom  and  of  piety. 
Others  of  my  brethren  of  the  Clergy,  who  should 
more  worthily  have  filled  this  place,  being  prevented 
from  discharging  its  relations  by  previous  engage- 
ments of  duty,  or  by  peculiar  circumstances,  it  has 
fallen  to  my  lot,  upon  the  principle  adopted  for  the 


8 


“ Lecture,”  to  break  the  first  ground  in  this  most 
hallowed  field  which  Christian  hands  can  cultivate, 
the  field  of  Missionary  labour.  Nor  do  I now,  thank 
God,  for  the  first  time,  so  put  my  hand  upon  the 
plough.  It  was  the  pledge  of  my  baptismal  conse- 
cration, that  I should  “ not  be  ashamed  to  confess  the 
faith  of  Christ  crucified.”  It  was  the  admonition  of 
his  lips  who,  with  an  Apostle’s  warrant,  called  me  to 
the  ministry  of  Jesus  Christ — lips,  that  on  earth 
were  ever  kindled  with  the  burning  eloquence  of 
truth,  and  which  in  heaven,  I doubt  not,  will  swell 
eternally  before  the  throne,  with  angels  and  with 
saints,  the  song  of  praise  and  adoration  to  the  Lamb — 
“ We  exhort  you  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
that  you  have  in  remembrance  ” “ unto  how  weighty 
an  office  you  are  called  ; ” to  seek  for  Christ’s  sheep 
that  are  dispersed  abroad,  and  for  his  children  who 
are  in  the  midst  of  this  naughty 'world,  that  they  may 
be  saved  through  Christ  forever.”*  And  it  was  my 
solemn  vow  and  promise,  registered  in  heaven,  and, 
at  the  last  day,  to  be  the  sentence  to  my  soul  of  joy 
or  wo  ineffable  and  everlasting,  “ I will  endeavour  to 
do  so,  the  Lord  being  my  helper.”  To  the  Mission- 
ary enterprise  then  I am  a debtor,  by  the  very  faith 
which  makes  me  Christian.  For  the  Missionary  en- 
terprise I am  engaged,  with  all  my  faculties  and  pow- 


* Exhortation  in  the  office  for  ordaining  Priests. 


9 


ers,  by  the  very  vows  which  bind  me  to  the  altar  of  my 
God.  In  the  assertion,  the  promotion,  the  extension 
of  the  Missionary  enterprise,  let  me  live,  let  me  la- 
bour, let  me  die!  And  let  my  last  act  be  an  effort, 
my  last  breath  be  a prayer,  for  Christian  Missions ! 

I have  said  that  the  present  is  the  commencement 
of  a “Missionary  Lecture.”  It  is  Missionary , as  to 
the  object — the  promotion  of  Missions.  It  is  to  be  a 
Lecture , in  its  character — inasmuch  as,  departing  from 
the  requisitions  of  proper  pulpit  discourses,  liberty  is 
reserved  to  offer,  as  the  occasion  may  require,  or  the 
inclination  of  the  lecturer  may  suggest,  either  a regu- 
lar sermon,  details  of  Missionary  intelligence,  views 
of  the  history,  or  what  may  properly  be  called  the 
philosophy  of  Missions,  the  biography  of  Missionaries, 
or  whatever  may  tend  to  illustrate  the  past  or  to  pro- 
mote the  future  results  of  the  Missionary  enterprise — 
the  object  being  to  present,  in  a series  of  lectures, 
whatever  can  illustrate  the  nature,  exhibit  the  import- 
ance, or  enforce  the  obligation  upon  all  who  profess 
and  call  themselves  Christians,  of  Christian  Missions. 
Is  there  not  something  in  the  character  of  the  present 
times,  my  brethren  of  the  Clergy,  which  loudly  calls 
for  such  an  undertaking  at  our  hands  ? On  all  sides, 
lectureships  are  established,  upon  every  branch  of 
human  knowledge.  Philosophy  seems  resolved  to  go 
hand  in  hand  with  philanthropy  in  the  extension  of 
2 


10 


universal  education.  There  is,  I believe,  no  single 
night  in  all  the  week,  in  which  the  thirst  for  secular 
science  may  not  be  gratified.  And  it  is  all  well. 
Nay,  it  is  a generous,  a noble,  a most  spirit-stirring 
spectacle.  It  is  the  assertion  of  the  proper  dignity  of 
the  nobler,  the  immortal  part  of  man.  It  is  the  tri- 
umph of  the  intellectual  and  refined  over  the  material, 
the  animal,  the  grosser  elements  of  human  nature. 
It  is  the  true  and  proper  preparation  of  the  mind  for 
that  cultivation  of  its  celestial  tendencies,  that  de- 
velopment of  its  eternal  capabilities,  which  shall  best 
fit  it  for  the  contemplation  of  its  Maker  here,  and  his 
enjoyment  hereafter.  There  is,  I know,  nothing  in 
physical  or  in  moral  or  in  intellectual  science  that  can 
save  the  soul.  The  voice  of  history  bears  testimony 
that  a nation  may  “ seek  after  wisdom,”  and  yet 
reject  the  cross  of  Christ  as  “ foolishness.”  We  know 
that  men  may  be  wise  in  this  world,  and  yet  not  wise 
unto  salvation.  There  is  much  more  than  speculation 
for  the  conjecture,  that  not  even  the  temporal  free- 
dom, greatness,  or  prosperity  of  a nation  can  long 
be  preserved  without  the  sanctifying  and  protecting 
influence  of  religion.  What  is  the  inference  then-? 
That  we  should  check  the  advance  of  useful  know- 
ledge? That  we  should  shut  up  and  seal  the  foun- 
tains of  science  from  the  people’s  use?  That  we 
should  put  out  the  light  of  common,  nay,  of  univer- 


11 


sal  education  ? As  well  might  we  attempt  to  roll  the 
ocean-tide  back,  ere  it  reaches  its  appointed  hound. 
As  much  ought  we  to  wish  to  quench  the  glories  of 
the  orb  of  day.  No.  Let  the  one  roll  on,  the  other 
still  shine  out,  and  spread,  and  blaze,  from  the  one 
end  of  the  whole  heaven  to  the  other  ! But  let  us, 
to  whom  the  Lord  has  given  in  charge  the  souls  of 
those  who  hear  us,  see  that  our  post  is  taken  at  the 
fountain  head  of  knowledge,  to  cleanse  its  streams, 
even  as  the  waters  were  made  sweet  at  Marah,  with 
the  pure  word  of  God.  Let  us,  the  Clergy,  the  ser- 
vants of  the  Lord,  the  ministers  and  stewards  of  the 
Gospel  of  reconciliation,  see  to  it  that  on  all  who 
fall  within  our  influence,  there  rise,  even  on  the  noon 
of  science,  the  brighter,  more  enduring  splendours  of 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness.  Let  us  not  be  behind- 
hand in  the  race  of  improvement.  Let  us,  who  are 
of  the  day,  be  of  the  day ; be  vigilant,  be  faithful,  be 
untiring.  The  Gospel  of  our  risen  Saviour  is  the 
perfect  wisdom  of  the  all-wise  God.  Let  us  not 
keep  back  its  beauty,  nor  repress  its  splendour.  Let 
us  bring  them  out  to  the  intelligence,  the  admiration, 
the  acceptance  of  the  world.  God’s  word,  if  it  have 
free  course,  will  be  glorified.  The  truth  of  God  is 
great ; and,  if  we  are  not  unfaithful,  will  prevail. 
Even  if  we  are,  it  will.  It  will  prevail  in  other 
hands.  A kingdom  will  be  given  to  it,  and  power  ; 


12 


and  we — let  us  regard  in  time  the  dread  alternative — 
we  must  either  be  of  those  who  reign  with  him  in 
glory,  or  of  those  who  are  destroyed  before  the  bright- 
ness of  his  coming.  Let  us  not  deceive  ourselves, 
nor  be  unfaithful  in  the  choice.  Let  us  remember 
our  great  advantages.  Let  us  live  ever  in  the  sense 
of  our  infinite  responsibilities.  The  Gospel,  which 
He  who  was  in  the  beginning  with  God,  and  was 
God,  humbled  himself  to  dwell  on  earth  that  he  might 
reveal,  let  us  grudge  no  labor,  no  exertion,  to  extend 
to  those  who  have  it  not.  The  Church,  which  he 
purchased  with  his  blood,  let  us  be  ever  ready,  by 
any  self-denial  or  sacrifice  of  ours,  to  serve,  to  enlarge, 
to  establish  in  the  earth.  It  is  enough,  let  us  allow, 
for  the  servant  that  he  be  as  his  Master.  Devoted 
as  our  Master  and  only  Saviour  was  to  the  work 
which  his  Father  gave  him  to  do,  let  us  count  it  all 
joy  to  walk  in  his  benevolent  and  holy  steps ; and  as 
he  came,  the  Missionary  of  heaven,  to  preach  on  earth 
the  Gospel  of  salvation,  so,  whether  in  going  our- 
selves, or  in  enabling  others  to  go  out  into  all  the 
world,  let  us  each,  according  to  the  ability  which 
God  has  given,  fulfil,  in  the  promotion  of  his  own 
peculiar  enterprise,  the  proper  work  of  Christian 
evangelists. 

The  Clergy,  who  united  to  support  this  Lecture, 
declare,  in  the  agreement  which  they  have  signed, 


13 


that  its  purpose  is  “ to  excite,  extend,  and  continue 
among  the  members  of  the  Church,  a Missionary 
Spirit.”  In  what  remains  of  the  present  Lecture, 
I shall  chiefly  address  myself  to  these  three  questions. 

What  is  the  Missionary  Spirit? 

Why  should  it  be  cherished  by  us  ? 

What  fitness  has  the  plan  proposed  to  promote 
that  object  ? 

Am  1 asked  what  the  Missionary  Spirit  is,  I must 
reply,  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  the  spirit  of  Christ- 
ianity, the  spirit  of  Christ  himself.  In  a single  word, 
my  brethren,  it  is  love,  true  Christian  love  ; the  love, 
which  prizing  that  most  which  God  prizes  most,  may 
lie  emphatically  distinguished,  as  the  love  of  souls. 
So  described,  you  will  assent  at  once  to  my  assertion, 
that  the  Missionary  Spirit  is  the  spirit  of  Christ, — for 
he  himself  has  given  this  very  account  of  his  own 
glorious  Mission  from  heaven  to  our  poor  world ; 
“ God  so  loved  the  world,”  so  loved  the  souls  of  lost 
and  sinful  men,  “ that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish, 
but  have  everlasting  life.”  So  described,  you  must 
allow  the  Missionary  Spirit  to  be  the  spirit  of  Christ- 
ianity,— for  “ the  love  of  Christ,”  the  love  which  was 
in  Christ,  “constraineth  us,”  was  their  excuse  who,  at 
the  risk  of  being  thought  by  the  wise  in  this  world 
“ beside  themselves,”  defended  that  magnanimous 


14 


and  self-denying  course,  in  which,  defying  danger, 
and  despising  shame,  they  “ hazarded  their  lives,” — 
first  called  Apostles,  then  as  martyrs  crowned, — “ for 
the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,”  both  theirs  and 
ours.  So  described,  you  must  admit  that  the  Mis- 
sionary Spirit  is  pre-eminently  the  spirit  of  the 
Gospel, — for  “ all  the  law  ” of  Christ,  so  Paul  inter- 
prets it,  “ is  fulfilled  in  this  one  saying,  thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself ; ” and  since  to  gain 
the  whole  world,  and  lose  the  soul,  is  infinite,  eternal 
loss,  the  love  of  other  souls,  of  all  souls  even  as  of 
his  own,  becomes  the  Christian’s  rule  ; and  the  Mis- 
sionary Spirit — the  spirit  which  prompts  men,  as  it 
did  the  Saviour  of  men,  “ to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  is  lost  ” — appears  to  be,  and  is,  the  essence  of 
the  Gospel.  And  if,  to  hasten  to  our  next  division, 
at  that  great  day,  when  all  the  secrets  of  all  hearts 
shall  be  made  known,  a cup  of  water,  given  to  a 
disciple,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  shall  be  allowed  as 
given  to  him,  what  glory  shall  be  theirs,  what  bless- 
ing, and  what  joy,*  who,  before  all  worlds,  shall  be 
acknowledged  as  teachers  of  eternal  righteousness — 
who,  having  poured  upon  dark  souls  that  groped  in 
misery  and  sin  the  light  of  everlasting  life,  shall  be 
exalted, — fit  reward  ! — to  “ shine,  as  the  brightness  of 
the  firmament,”  and  “ as  the  stars  forever  and  ever ! 


* See  Note  I. 


15 


Is  it  now  asked,  why  should  suck  a spirit  be  culti- 
vated and  cherished,  the  answer  prompts  itsell  ; 
that  we  may  save,  through  Christ,  our  own  immortal 
souls.  That  we  may  save  them,  not  by  caring  for 
them  only — that  can  never  be  ! — but  by  doing  to  the 
utmost,  even  as  God’s  all-seeing  eye  shall  judge, 
what  in  us  lies,  to  save  the  souls  of  others.*  In  a 
word,  by  kindling  all  hearts  with  that  pure  flame  of 
love  which  shall  refine  and  turn  them  all  to  God  ; — 
win  from  the  rich  man  the  free  offering  of  his  gold 
and  silver  to  be  the  ransom  of  imprisoned  heathen, 
or  the  light  of  ignorant  and  erring  Christians,  or  the 
life  of  dying  sinners, — constrain  the  poor  and  desolate 
widow,  that  has  nothing  else  to  give,  to  give  her 
mite,  and  add,  what  God  esteems  above  the  jewels  of 
imperial  crowns,  her  pious  prayers, — inflame  the 
young  man  to  devote  himself,  a living  sacrifice,  upon 
the  altar  of  his  God,  to  preach,  if  he  be  found  wor- 
thy, the  Gospel  of  salvation,  and  if  not,  to  labour  in 
his  sphere,  and  aid  with  both  hands,  and  with  his 
whole  heart,  in  rolling  onward,  through  the  darkling, 
dying  world,  the  tide  of  light  and  life, 

“ Till,  like  a sea  of  glory, 

“ It  spreads  from  pole  to  pole.” 

In  vain,  without  this  spirit  in  our  hearts,  and  in  the 
hearts  of  those  who  hear  us,  shall  we  call  for  Mission- 


* Sec  Note  II. 


16 


ary  funds,  or,  what  is  far  more  needed,  Missionary 
men.  In  vain,  while  men  know  not  their  duty  in  the 
case,  appeal  to  them  for  its  discharge.  In  vain,  while 
men  feel  not  in  their  own  souls  the  value  of  the  sal- 
vation wrhich  we  preach,  expect  them  to  give  what 
they  do  value  for  its  promotion  in  others.  In  vain, 
expect  that  the  sacrifices  of  a Missionary  will  be 
made,  his  labours  undertaken,  or  his  privations  borne, 
by  him  who  does  not  know,  that,  at  the  last  da},  the 
soul  of  every  man  will  be  held  answerable  for  the 
soul  of  every  brother,  for  whose  instruction  in  the 
truth,  whose  redemption  from  sin,  whose  eternal  sal- 
vation, he  has  not  done  whatever  in  him  lay.  In  a 
word,  to  imbue  men  thoroughly  with  the  Missionary 
Spirit,  we  must  acquaint  them  intimately  with  the 
Missionary  enterprise.  We  must  fill  their  hearts  with 
the  conviction  of  its  immense  importance,  and  its  un- 
deniable obligation.  We  must  trace  it  back  before 
them  to  the  divine  and  blessed  Mission  of  the  Son  of 
God.  We  must  follow  it  down  the  path-way,  stained 
with  blood  and  tears,  of  the  noble,  self-devoted  apos- 
tolic band.  We  must  go,  with  the  Vaudois,  to  their 
mountain  fastnesses,  and  hear  the  cliffs  and  caverns 
of  their  rugged  sanctuary  resound  the  praises  of  the 
Lamb.  We  must,  with  the  simple  brethren  of  the 
Moravian  Church,  forget,  with  hearts  inflamed  with 
love,  the  rigours  of  a polar  winter,  and  see  the  gloomy 


17 


Greenland  snow-cave  lighted  with  the  lamp  of  life. 
We  must  encounter,  with  Ziegenbalg  and  Grundlerus 
and  Swartz,  the  pestilential  atmosphere  and  burning 
sky  of  Hindostan ; or,  in  our  own  day,  go  with  Mar- 
tyn,  Middleton,  and  Heber,  of  our  siste"  Church, — 
nay,  with  Robertson,  and  Hill,  and  Cadle,  of  our  own, 
forsaking  country,  home,  and  friends,  to  bear  the 
pure  and  peaceful  Gospel,  and  the  one  holy,  Apostolic 
Church,  to  sluggish,  bigoted  Indians,  or  to  degraded, 
and  yet  proud  and  captious,  Greeks,  or  to  the  miser- 
able remnant  of  our  wasting  native  tribes ; — and, 
turning  to  the  Gospel,  turning  to  our  own  still  and 
secret  hearts,  fathom  and  scan  the  depth  and  “ height 
of  that  great  argument,”  from  which  those  faithful, 
fearless  men,  rose  up,  and  went,  convinced,  resolved, 
devoted,  bound  in  spirit,  to  perform  their  Master’s 
work.  To  act  at  all,  our  nature  must  be  moved. 
To  act  strongly,  we  must  move  it  strongly.  There 
is  no  enterprise  of  secular  interest  given  up  for  want 
of  means  or  want  of  men.  No  military  plan  so  des- 
perate that  strong  hearts  do  not  dare  and  strong  hands 
do  it.  No  sickly  spot  between  the  tropics  that  com- 
merce does  not  visit.  No  wall  of  thick-ribbed  ice 
about  the  pole  that  can  abate  the  ardent  spirit  of 
discovery.  And  is  there  nothing  that  can  compete 
with  these  strong  motives  in  the  love  of  souls,  the 
call  of  God,  the  rewards  of  heaven  1 And  if  there  is, 
3 


18 


why  is  its  force  not  felt,  why  is  its  influence  not 
shown?  Only  because  the  one  is  like  ourselves,  of 
the  earth,  earthly  ; the  other  like  what  we  ought  to 
be,  spiritual,  intent  on  heavenly  things.  Only  because 
the  one  is  .before  us,  and  about  us,  and  within  us, 
while  we  repel  the  other  and  estrange  our  spirits  from 
it.  Only  because  the  one  is  present,  pressing,  must 
be  attended  to  at  once,  while  the  other  we  regard  as 
future,  distant,  to  be  attended  to  at  any  other  time. 
Do  you  ask  the  remedy  1 Bring  both  alike  home  to 
the  eyes  and  ears  of  men.  Make  the  concerns  of 
both  present,  immediate,  urgent.  Induce  Christian 
men  to  attend,  and  to  investigate.  Present  the  sub- 
ject to  them  often,  and  in  interesting  lights.  Let 
them  have  it  “ line  upon  line,  and  precept  upon  pre- 
cept, here  a little,  and  there  a little.”  Win  them  to 
examination  and  to  inquiry,  as  though  it  were,  what 
indeed  it  is,  a matter  of  momentous  history,  or  of 
curious  and  pregnant  philosophy.  They  have  minds, 
and  they  will  think.  They  have  hearts,  and  they 
will  feel.  There  is  no  subject  that  presents  to  the 
human  mind  such  rich  materials  for  thought,  aud 
study,  and  reflection.  Once  engaged,  they  will  pur- 
sue it.  There  is  no  subject  that  so  commends  itself 
to  the  feelings,  and  wins  its  way  into  the  heart,  and 
entwines  itself  with  all  the  gentle,  generous,  and  ele- 
vated affections.  Interested  in  it,  they  will  love  it. 


19 


It  needs,  I believe,  with  God’s  blessing,  nothing  but 
investigation.  They  who  best  know  its  nature,  will 
best  feel  its  sacred  obligation.  By  none  who  feel 
that  obligation,  will  its  duties  be  neglected. 

Upon  considerations  like  these,  my  Christian 
brethren,  the  Missionary  Lecture, — 1 am  to  speak 
now  of  its  fitness  to  promote  the  object  which  it  con- 
templates,— has  been  established.  Not  to  supersede — 
God  forbid  ! — the  constant  exhibition  of  these  solemn, 
saving  truths,  in  the  instructions  of  the  sanctuary 
upon  the  holy  day  ; but  to  be  additional  to,  to  come 
in  aid  of,  to  confirm  them.  Not  to  tempt  any  one  of 
us — God  forbid  ! — in  reliance  on  what  may  be  done 
here,  to  suspend  or  to  diminish  other  efforts  every 
where,  and  at  all  times  ; but  to  encourage  one  an- 
other’s hearts  and  strengthen  one  another’s  hands, 
to  provoke  one  another,  as  an  Apostle  has  enjoined, 
to  love  and  good  works,  and  send  each  on  his  way 
rejoicing  in  his  Master’s  service.  A Monthly  Lec- 
ture, delivered  by  the  Clergy  in  rotation,  while,  from 
the  number  engaged,  it  will  add  little  to  our  present 
labours,  will  lead  us  all  to  the  patient  and  prayerful 
investigation  of  the  means,  as  taught  by  Scripture, 
experience,  and  reason,  best  calculated  to  promote 
the  work  in  which  we  are  engaged,  extend  the  bless- 
ings of  religion,  and  establish  the  Redeemer’s  king- 
dom ; — and  will  thus  throw  on  the  most  important 


20 


subjects  that  can  engage  us,  the  blended  light  of 
many  minds,  while  it  engages  for  them, — surely  we 
may  hope  it, — the  blended  love  of  many  hearts.  And 
while  to  those  who  hear,  instruction  may,  we  trust,  be 
given,  impressions  created,  resolutions  formed,  which 
God,  approving,  will  confirm  and  bless  with  the  pre- 
cious gift  of  his  own  love  shed  abroad  in  their  hearts  ; 
our  union  together,  ministers  and  people,  in  a work 
so  intimately  concerning  our  common  salvation,  will 
bring  down  upon  us, — surely  we  are  encoura'ged  to 
believe  it, — the  blessing  of  His  presence,  who  has 
promised,  that  wherever  two  or  three  are  gathered 
together  in  his  name,  He  w ill  be  in  the  midst  of  them. 

Of  the  subjects  wrhich  will  from  time  to  time  be 
offered  for  your  attention,  I cannot  of  course  minutely 
speak.  One  thing  I can  say,  the  mine  which  is  to 
supply  them  is  inexhaustible.  The  history  of  the 
Church  of  Christ,  from  its  first  chapter,  the  book  of 
“ the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,”  to  that  which  is  now 
making  its  record  of  our  day  ; the  wonderful  and 
interesting  researches  and  adventures  of  the  servants 
of  the  Most  High  God,  in  every  age  ; — Barnabas 
and  Paul  of  the  primitive  Church ; their  immediate 
followers  in  its  persecuted  periods  ; the  Jesuit  Mis- 
sionaries, redeeming  by  their  self-devoted  and  death- 
daring course,  if  aught  human  could  redeem,  the 
corruptions  of  the  Papacy ; the  mountain  Christians, 


21 


who,  among  the  Alpine  snows,  preserved  a pure,  or 
kindled  the  first  fires  of  a reformed  Church  ; the 
Apostles,  Martyrs,  and  Confessors  of  the  Reforma- 
tion ; the  worthies  of  that  blessed  communion,  the 
good  old  Church  of  England,  to  which,  under  God, 
we  are  so  much  indebted ; the  labours  of  her  two 
venerable  Societies,  gaining  for  her  the  deserved 
praise  of  being  the  Mission  Church  of  the  whole 
world  ; the  unostentatious,  but  almost  unequalled 
efforts  of  the  United  Brethren ; the  rich  and  happy 
results  of  modern  Missionary  enterprise,  throwing 
new  light  upon  the  history  of  man,  and  new'  lustre  on 
the  Christian  name ; and,  though  last,  most  interest- 
ing of  all,  the  current  intelligence  of  our  own  Mis- 
sionaries, labouring  now  to  sustain  the  truths  of  the 
Gospel,  and  the  offices  of  the  Church,  among  our  own 
brethren,  who  have  gone  westw  ard  in  pursuit  of  for- 
tune, and  for  the  extension  of  our  empire, — or  to 
reclaim  to  civilization  and  Christianity  the  wild  sons 
of  the  forest, — or  to  purge  from  spiritual  gloom  the 
“ eye  of  Greece,” — or,  we  hope  soon  to  add,  to  rend 
the  veil  of  death  which  now  enshrouds  degraded 
Africa : — who  fears,  in  view  of  such  a mine,  so  rich, 
so  various,  the  wrant  of  subjects  for  discussion  ; or  who 
distrusts  the  intense,  eternal  interest,  which,  with 
Christian  men,  such  subjects  must  possess ! — But  I 
must  check  myself.  With  the  few  topics  which  I 


22 


had  proposed  for  your  regard  to-night,  full  half  un- 
touched, I find  the  reasonable  limits  of  the  lecture 
are  well  nigh  exhausted.  A single  specimen,  I can- 
not refrain  from  giving,  of  the  nature  of  Missionary 
* discoveries  ; — an  evidence  too  of  the  important  bear- 
ing of  such  investigations,  not  upon  Missions  only,  but 
on  the  whole  subject  of  Gospel  ministrations.  \\  e 
all  know  the  great  success  which  has  attended  the 
Moravian  Missions.  Do  we  all  know  the  secret  of 
their  success  ? Would  we  all  learn,  from  their  exam- 
ple, the  first  lesson  of  Christianity?  The  lesson  is 
soon  stated.  Let  it  never  be  forgotten  ! 

“The  scene  of  the  experiment”  — I quote  the 
Memoirs  of  John  Urquhart,  by  William  Orme  — 
“ was  the  inhospitable  region  of  Greenland  ; and  the 
moral  and  intellectual  condition  of  the  inhabitants 
was  even  more  barren  and  dreary  than  the  scenery 
with  which  they  were  surrounded.  Here  the  only 
plausible  system  of  instruction  seemed  to  be,  to  at- 
tempt to  teach  the  savages  those  truths  which  are  of 
a preliminary  nature.  Accordingly,  the  Missionaries 
set  to  work  most  assiduously,  in  telling  the  Green- 
landers of  the  being  and  character  of  a God,  and  of 
the  requirements  of  his  law.  However  plausible 
this  mode  of  instruction  may  appear,  it  was  patiently 
continued  in  for  seven  years , without  producing  even 
the  smallest  effect  on  those  hearts  which  ignorance 


23 


and  stupidity  had  rendered  almost  inaccessible.  The 
first  conversion,  (as  far  as  man  was  concerned,)  may 
be  said  to  have  been  accidental.  Some  Southlanders 
happened  to  visit  the  brethren,  as  one  of  them  was 
writing  a translation  of  the  gospels.  They  were 
curious  to  know  what  was  in  the  book ; and  on  hear- 
ing read  the  history  of  Christ’s  agony  in  the  garden, 
one  of  the  savages  earnestly  exclaimed,  ‘ How  was 
that?  Tell  me  it  once  more;  for  I would  fain  be 
saved.’  Sometime  after  this  remarkable  conversion, 
the  brethren  entirely  changed  their  method  of  in- 
struction. ‘ They  now  directed  the  attention  of  the 
savages,  in  the  first  instance,  to  Christ  Jesus,  to  his 
incarnation,  to  his  life,  and  especially  to  his  suffer- 
ings.’ This  was  the  beginning  of  a new  era  in  the 
history  of  the  evangelization  of  Greenland.  Con- 
version followed  conversion,  till  the  Missionaries 
could  number  hundreds  to  whom  the  message  of 
God  had  come,  not  in  word  only,  but  also  in 
power.” 

My  brethren  of  the  Clergy,  that  the  preaching  of 
“ Christ  crucified  ” is  the  first  duty  of  the  Christian 
minister,  we  have  not  been  accustomed  to  doubt.  That 
it  is  also  his  best  interest,  and  surest  means  of  suc- 
cess, every  where  and  at  all  times,  if  any  of  us  could 
doubt,  with  God's  holy  word  before  him,  this  little 
anecdote  of  the  Moravian  Mission,  and  a thousand 


24 


others,*  which  might  be  gathered  from  the  records  of 
those  labourers,  who,  like  them,  have  gone  out,  in  the 
spirit  of  the  first  Apostles,  to  convert  the  world,  most 
undeniably  demonstrate.  There  is  no  other  name, — 
thank  God  that  that  is  given  to  us ! — by  which  men 
may  be  saved,  than  that  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth. 
Jesus,  the  Christ,  is  in  no  other  way  the  Saviour  of 
mankind,  than  as  he  is  set  forth  before  us,  crucified 
for  sin.  “ God  forbid  that  we  should  glory,  save  in 
the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  which  the 
world  is  crucified  unto  us,  and  we  unto  the  world  ! ” — 
My  Christian  brethren,  there  is  no  glory  in  the  cross 
which  God  acceptably  regards,  but  that  which  in- 
volves implicit  reliance  on  its  merits,  and  implicit 
obedience  to  its  commands.  And  he,  who  has  not 
sought  to  bear  it  in  his  life,  in  humility,  in  penitence, 
in  patience,  in  holiness,  in  self-devotion,  in  charity, 
will  in  vain  rely,  in  the  day  of  judgment,  on  its  saving 
intervention.  You  then,  who  bear  its  holy  sign  upon 
your  brow,  you  who  embrace  its  blessed  hopes  within 
your  heart,  give  proof  this  night  how  much  you  love, 
how  much  you  glory  in  the  cross  ! 

In  bringing  to  your  notice,  my  Christian  brethren, 
the  claims  of  the  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety of  the  Church,  we  have  every  satisfaction  which 
can  be  inspired  by  the  most  efficient  and  inviting  plan 


* See  Note  III. 


25 


of  Christian  benevolence  prosecuted  under  the  most 
favorable  auspices.  For,  while  it  offers,  or  waits  but 
for  the  means  to  offer,  for  your  patronage,  every  form 
of  Christian  Missions  which  your  hearts  can  desire, 
it  presents  them  under  the  immediate  auspices  of  the 
venerable  Bishops,  and  thus  justly  commands  your 
most  entire  and  perfect  confidence.  Of  the  ten 
years,  during  which  the  Society  has  been  in  being, 
the  first  six  or  seven  were  passed  in  establishing 
itself  in  your  favour,  and  preparing  its  plans  of  use- 
fulness. That  it  has  succeeded  in  both  these  points, 
the  last  three  or  four  years  clearly  show,  both  in  the 
extended  operations  which  they  record,  and  in  the 
increased  income  which  they  exhibit.  To  enlarge 
these  noble  plans, — nay,  to  continue  them  even  as 
they  now  are,  your  constant  interest  and  your  liberal 
patronage  are  needed.  Do  not  withhold  it.  Do  not 
give  it  grudgingly.  To  do  good,  is,  of  necessity, 
expensive.  If  it  were  not,  how  could  it  satisfy  your- 
selves, how  could  it  please  the  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth,  to  serve  him,  with  that  which  cost  you  nothing  ? 
My  beloved  brethren,  you  have  to-day  united,  with 
the  wrhole  Church  on  earth,  in  celebrating  the  Advent 
in  the  flesh  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, — 
and  in  supplicating  the  graces  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
that  you  may  be  prepared  for  his  second  Advent  in 
4 


26 


glory.  Let  there  be  no  divorce  between  the  practice 
of  the  night  and  the  devotions  of  the  day.  Remem- 
bering that  the  joy  with  which  you  hail  the  rising  of 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  is  but  a feeble  and  imper- 
fect measure  of  their  desolate  sorrow,  who  sit  in  dark- 
ness and  the  shadow  of  death,  do  what  becomes  you 
to  assist  in  throwing  upon  their  darkling  souls  the 
light  and  consolation  of  the  day-spring  from  on  high. 
Do  you  ask  what?  How?  How  much?  Let  me  again 
answer  from  the  history  of  the  Moravian  Missions. 
Two  of  their  young  men,  on  hearing  of  the  desperate 
ignorance  of  the  West  Indian  slaves,  offered  them- 
selves as  Missionaries,  to  go  and  live  among  them, 
and  teach  them  Christianity.  And  so  bent  were 
they  upon  their  purpose,  notwithstanding  all  opposi- 
tion and  discouragement,  that  they  actually  proposed 
to  sell  themselves  as  slaves,  that  they  might  be 
sure  of  opportunities  of  teaching  the  Gospel  to  the 
negroes.  To  freemen,  Christian  freemen,  prizing 
liberty  more  than  life,  and  the  hope  of  salvation 
infinitely  more  than  both,  need  any  more  be  said  ? 
Go  then  and  do, — I do  not  say  likewise, — but  what 
your  hand,  what  your  heart,  findeth  to  do.  As  you 
would  obtain,  show  mercy.  By  deeds  of  charity  and 
love,  declare  your  joy  in  his  first  Advent,  whose  birth 
proclaimed,  “ on  earth  peace,  good  will  to  men.” 


27 

By  deeds  of  charity  and  love,  aspire,  through  the 
atoning  merits  of  the  divine  and  only  Saviour  of 
mankind,  to  that  “ crown  of  righteousness,”  which  is 
reserved  for  those  who  “ love,”  and  look  for,  “ his 
appearing  ! ” 


- 


' 


APPENDIX  AND  NOTES. 


The  Episcopal  Missionary  Lecture  is  the  result  of  much  and  very 
serious  deliberation  on  the  part  of  several  of  the  Clergy.  With  some  of 
them,  it  has  been  for  more  than  two  years*  the  subject  of  conversation.  In 
the  month  of  September  last,  a meeting  was  called  in  reference  to  that  and 
some  kindred  objects ; but  a sufficient  number  of  the  Clergy,  to  warrant  the 
engagement  in  an  enterprise  of  so  much  moment  to  the  Church,  not  being 
present,  its  adoption,  after  much  discussion,  was  deferred.  On  the  14th  of 
November,  the  Author  having  invited  to  his  house  as  many  of  the  Clergy  as 
could  be  conveniently  assembled,  to  meet  the  Right  Reverend  the  Bishop, 
on  some  matters  of  interest  and  importance,  so  large  a number  was  found  to 
be  present,  that  the  plan  of  an  Episcopal  Missionary  Lecture,  to  be  establish- 
ed and  supported  by  the  Bishop  and  the  Clergy  of  Boston  and  vicinity,  was 
laid  before  them.  It  was  in  substance  as  follows  : — The  undersigned,  deeply 
interested  in  the  Missionary  enterprise,  and  especially  in  the  Domestic  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  believ- 
ing that  intelligence  on  the  subject  of  Missions,  and  a just  understanding  of 
their  sacred  obligation,  are  alone  necessary,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  to 
excite,  extend,  and  continue  among  Episcopalians  a Missionary  spirit,  hereby 
associate  ourselves,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  and  supporting  a Monthly 
EPISCOPAL  MISSIONARY  LECTURE, 
in  the  City  of  Boston  ; to  be  conducted  by  us  severally,  in  such  order,  and 
under  such  regulations,  as  mav  hereafter  be  established.  After  suitable  dis- 
cussion, it  was  adopted,  and  subscribed  by  all — a collection,  for  the  general 

* In  the  Episcopal  Watchman  for  April,  1823,  will  be  found  some  of  the 
Author  s views  on  this  subject. 

r 


o 


30 


purposes*  of  the  Society,  it  was  agreed,  should  follow  each  Lecture — a Secre- 
tary was  appointed  to  obtain  the  names  of  such  of  the  Clergy  as  were  not 
present — the  Festival  of  the  Epiphany  was  appointed  for  the  general  meeting 
of  all  who  might  unite — and  arrangements  made  for  conducting  the  Lectures 
for  the  two  intervening  months.  It  was  desired  by  all,  that  the  Bishop 
should  make  the  beginning;  but  his  engagements  for  the  last  Sunday  in  No- 
vember, and  for  the  first  and  second  in  December,  did  not  permit  it.  The 
second  Lecture,  it  is  some  amends  to  know,  he  will,  with  Divine  permission, 
deliver.  The  following  are  the  Clergymen  who  have,  at  the  present  date, 
subscribed  the  agreement : — 

The  Right  Reverend  the  Bishop  or  the  Diocese. 

The  Rev.  Alfred  L.  Baury,  Rector  of  St.  Mary’s  Church,  Newton. 

The  Rev.  John  L.  Blake,  Rector  of  St.  Matthew's  Church,  Boston. 

The  Rev.  Isaac  Boyle,  Rector  of  St.  Paul’s  Church,  Dedham. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Coit,  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  Cambridge. 

The  Rev.  William  Croswell,  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  Boston. 

The  Rev.  George  W.  Doane,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Boston. 

The  Rev.  Asa  Eaton,  D.D.,  Domestic  Missionary,  Boston. 

The  Rev.  Theodore  Edson,  Rector  of  St.  Anne’s  Church,  Lowell. 

The  Rev.  John  P.  Fenner,  Chaplain  in  the  U.  S.  Navy,  Charlestown. 

The  Rev.  Geo.  F.  Haskins,  officiating  in  Grace  Church,  Providence,  R.  I. 
The  Rev.  John  H.  Hopkins,  Assistant  Minister  of  Trinity  Church,  Boston. 
The  Rev.  James  Morse,  D.D.,  Rector  of  St.  Paul’s  Church,  Newburyport. 
The  Rev.  William  T.  Potter,  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  Quincy. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  II.  Price, officiating  in  St.  Michael’s  Church,  Marblehead. 
The  Rev.  E.  M.  P.  Wells,  Chaplain  and  Superintendent  of  the  House  of 
Reformation,  South  Boston. 


NOTE  I. 

“ Would  I frame  to  myself,”  says  Coleridge,  “ the  most  inspiriting  repre- 
sentation of  future  bliss  which  my  mind  is  capable  of  comprehending,  it 
would  be  embodied  to  me  in  the  idea  of  Bell,  receiving,  at  some  distant 


* Contributions  to  the  general  purposes  of  the  Society  are  submitted  to  the 
discretion  of  the  Directors,  to  be  used  either  for  Foreign  or  Domestic  pur- 
poses. As  they  are  best  informed  as  to  the  wants  of  the  Society,  it  was 
thought  best  to  commit  the  whole  to  them. 


31 


period,  the  appropriate  reward  of  his  earthly  labours,  when  thousands  and 
ten  thousands  of  glorified  spirits,  whose  reason  and  conscience  had,  through 
his  efforts,  been  unfolded,  shall  sing  the  song  of  their  own  redemption,  and 
pouring  forth  praises  to  God  and  their  Saviour,  shall  repeat  his  “ new  name 
in  heaven,  give  thanks  for  his  earthly  virtues,  as  the  chosen  instruments  of 
divine  mercy  to  themselves,  and  not  seldom,  perhaps,  turn  their  eyes  towards 
Aim,  as  from  the  sun  to  its  image  in  the  fountain,  with  secondary  gratitude 
and  permitted  love." — The  Friend,  Essay  XIV.  London  edition  of  1816, 
page  170. 

NOTE  II. 

“ That  man’s  soul  is  not  dear  to  himself" — I quote  the  same  strange  and 
powerful  production  of  the  same  author,  the  most  eloquent,  I venture  to  say, 
of  living  writers,  in  English  prose — “ to  whom  the  souls  of  his  brethren  are  not 
dear.  As  far  as  they  can  be  influenced  by  him,  they  are  parts  and  properties 
of  his  own  soul ; their  faith  his  faith,  their  errors  his  burthen,  their  right- 
eousness and  bliss  his  righteousness  and  reward — and  of  their  guilt  and  mise- 
ry his  own  will  be  the  echo.” — The  Friend,  Essay  XIII.  London  edition  of 
1818,  page  1G2. 

A kindred  sentiment,  I am  reminded  by  a friend,  to  whom  all  that  is  most 
exquisite  and  touching  in  English  poetry  is  “ familiar  as  household  words,” 
is  finely,  though  with  quaint  simplicity,  expressed  in  that  “ singularly  wild 
and  beautiful  poem,”  “ The  Rime  of  the  Auncient  Mariner.” 

“ He  prayeth  well,  who  loveth  well 
Both  man  and  bird  and  beast. 

He  prayeth  best,  who  loveth  best 
All  things  both  great  and  small ; 

For  the  dear  God  who  loveth  us, 

He  made  and  loveth  all.” 

Coleridge's  Poetical  Works,  Pickering's  edition,  Vol.  II.  p.  37. 

NOTE  III. 

One  more  illustration,  and  that  in  the  highest  degree  affecting  and  instruc- 
tive, I must  give,  for  which  I am  indebted  to  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Cunningham, 
Vicar  of  Harrow.  See  his  sermon  on  “ Christ  Crucified,”  in  the  second 
volume  of  two  lately  published.  It  is  the  testimony  of  a North  American 
Indian,  who  had  himself  been  rescued  from  the  miseries  and  crimes  of  idolatry. 


/ 


32 


“ When  delivering  his  sentiments  as  to  the  best  means  of  converting  the 
heathen,  he  said,  Brethren,  I have  been  a heathen  myself,  and  have  grown 
old  amongst  them ; I therefore  know  their  modes  of  thinking.  A preacher 
once  came  to  us,  desiring  to  instruct  us ; and  began  by  proving  to  us  that 
there  was  a God.  On  which  we  said  to  him,  ‘ Well,  and  dost  thou  think  we 
are  ignorant  of  that  ? Go  back  to  the  place  whence  thou  earnest.’  Then 
again  another  preacher  came,  and  began  to  instruct  us,  saying,  ‘You  must 
not  steal,  or  become  inebriated,  or  tell  falsehoods,  or  lead  abandoned  lives.’ 
We  answered  him,  ‘ Thinkest  thou  that  we  know  not  that?  Go,  and  prac- 
tically learn  these  things  thyself,  and  then  teach  them  to  thine  own  people  ; 
for  who  are  more  addicted  to  such  vices  than  they  ? ’ Thus  we  sent  him 
away  also.  At  length  a Missionary  came  to  my  hut,  and  sat  down  by  me. 
The  contents  of  his  discourse  were  nearly  these  : ‘ I come  to  thee  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth.  He  sends  me  to  acquaint  thee  that  he 
would  gladly  save  thee,  and  make  thee  happy,  and  deliver  thee  from  the 
miserable  condition  in  which  thou  at  present  liest.  To  this  end  he  became 
man,  gave  his  life  a ransom  for  man,  and  shed  his  blood  for  man.  All  that 
believe  in  the  name  of  this  Jesus,  obtain  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  To  all  that 
receive  him  by  faith,  he  giveth  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God.  The 
Holy  Spirit  dwelleth  in  their  hearts  ; and  they  are  made  free,  through  the 
blood  of  Christ,  from  the  slavery  and  dominion  of  sin.  And  though  thou  art 
the  chief  of  sinners,  yet,  if  thou  prayest  the  Father  in  his  name,  and  believest 
in  him  as  the  sacrifice  for  thy  sins,  thou  shall  be  heard  and  saved,  and  he  will 
give  thee  a crown  of  life,  and  thou  slialt  live  with  him  forever  in  heaven.’ 
I could  not,  added  the  converted  native,  I could  not  forget  his  words. 
They  constantly  recurred  to  my  mind.  Even  in  sleep  I dreamed  of  the 
blood  which  Christ  shed  for  us.  If,  then,  continued  he,  you  would  have 
your  words  gain  an  entrance  among  the  heathen,  preach  to  them  Christ 
Jesus,  his  blood,  his  sufferings,  and  his  death.— Such  was  the  judgment  of 
this  converted  heathen,  and  it  may  be  illustrated  and  confirmed  by  the  exa- 
mination of  almost  any  page  in  the  history  of  idolatry." 


POSTSCRIPT* 


“ The  mountain  Christians,  who,  among  the  Alpine  snoics,  preserved  a 
pure,  or  kindled  the  first  fires  of  a reformed  Church." 

The  mountains  have  ever  been  the  strong-holds  of  liberty  and  truth. 
“ Thanks  be  to  God  for  mountains  ! ” the  Christian,  no  less  fervently  than 
the  patriot,  may  exclaim  with  William  Howitt,  in  his  delightful  “ Book  of 
the  Seasons.” — Were  this  the  place,  I could  easily  show  that  I have  not 
spoken  too  strongly  of  the  “ mountain  Christians  ” of  Piedmont.  “ As  for 
the  Waldenses,”  says  Beza,  “ give  me  leave  to  call  them  the  very  seed  of 
the  primitive  and  pure  Christian  Church.”  “ With  the  dawn  of  history ,”  says 
Sir  James  Mackintosh,  “ we  discover  some  simple  Christians  in  the  vallies 
of  the  Alps,  where  they  still  exist  under  the  ancient  name  of  Vaudois.” 
The  lofty  muse  of  Wordsworth,  in  the  very  spirit  of  their  appropriate 
motto,  “ Lux  lucet  in  tenebris,” — the  light  shineth  in  darkness, — speaks 
of  them,  as 

“ Those  who  gave  earliest  notice,  as  the  lark 

Springs  from  the  ground  the  morn  to  gratulate ; 

Who  rather  rose  the  day  to  antedate, 

By  striking  out  a solitary  spark 

When  all  the  world  with  midnight  gloom  was  dark." 

In  the  Waldensian  Church,  says  Gilly,  “ we  find  the  line  carried  up  to  a 
period  sufficiently  remote  to  connect  her  with  the  Apostolical  succession. 
We  trace  the  creed,  and  the  local  habitation,  if  not  the  very  name  of  this 
Alpine  Church,  from  age  to  age  upwards,  until  we  reach  a date  which  satis- 
fies us  that  having  early  embraced  the  primitive  faith,  she  has  retained  it 

* This  should  properly  have  been  a note  to  page  21,  at  the  sentence 
quoted  above. 


f 


6 


34 


* 


amid  the  surrounding  darkness,  as  its  only  faithful  depository,  and  having 
done  this,  we  discover  the  simple  services,  the  primitive  institutions,  and  the 
traits  of  Christian  character  which  correspond  with  those  that  may  be  col- 
lected from  the  pages  of  Justin  Martyr  and  Tertullian.”  Bishop  Hobart,  in 
his  Sermon,  preached  to  the  congregation  of  English  Protestants  at  Rome, 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Vaudois,  says,  “ It  is  a remarkable  and  interesting  trait 
in  their  history,  that  while  the  Christian  world  had  grossly  and  lamentably 
deviated  from  the  purity  of  Christian  faith,  polity  and  worship,  these  people 
retained  that  faith,  polity  and  worship,  in  their  primitive  simplicity  and 
integrity.  Christian  truth,  almost  extinguished  in  the  darkness  which  for 
centuries  overspread  Christendom,  was  preserved  pure  and  bright  in  the 
sequestered  valleys  of  Piedmont ; and  here  was  lighted  that  torch  which 
dispelled  the  superstitions  and  corruptions  that  rested  on  the  Church,  and 
restored  her  in  many  countries  to  her  primitive  purity  and  brightness. 
And,  finally,  to  pursue  no  farther  this  enchanting  subject,  it  was  of  these 
hill-saints  that  JIilton  wrote  that  noble  Sonnet 

ON  THE  LATE  MASSACRE  IN  TIEDMONT. 

“ Avenge,  O Lord,  thy  slaughtered  saints,  whose  bones 
Lie  scattered  on  the  Alpine  mountains  cold  : 

Even  them,  who  kept  thy  truth  so  pure  of  old, 

When  all  our  fathers  worshipped  stocks  and  stones, 

Forget  not ; in  thy  book  record  their  groans, 

Who  were  thy  sheep,  and  in  their  ancient  fold 
Slain  by  the  bloody  Piedmontese,  that  rolled 
Mother  with  infant  down  the  rocks.  1 heir  moans 
The  vales  redoubled  to  the  hills,  and  they 
To  heaven.  Their  martyred  blood  and  ashes  sow 
O’er  all  the  Italian  fields,  where  still  doth  sway 
The  triple  tyrant  ; that  from  these  may  grow 
An  hundred  fold,  who,  having  learnt  thy  way, 

Early  may  fly  the  Babylonian  woe  ! ” 

Milton’s  Works,  Fickering's  edition,  Vol.  Ill  page  71. 


